New study: Hidden dangerous chemicals in popular costumes, party supplies
A study released Oct. 16 by the Ecology Center’s HealthyStuff.org project, the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow and Clean Water Action has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals in popular Halloween costumes, accessories and party supplies.
The nonprofit Ecology Center tested 106 types of Halloween gear — purchased at national retailers such as CVS, Kroger, Party City, Target, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens — for substances linked to asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, reproductive problems, liver toxicity and cancer. Advocates and parents in Massachusetts expressed outrage and dismay about the findings and called for legislators and retailers to act to ensure that consumer products are made safely.
“We found that seasonal products, like thousands of other products we have tested, are full of dangerous chemicals,” said Jeff Gearhart, HealthyStuff.org research director. “Poorly regulated toxic chemicals consistently show up in seasonal products. Hazardous chemicals in consumer products pose unnecessary and avoidable health hazards to children, consumers, communities, workers and our environment.”
Added Elizabeth Saunders, Massachusetts director for Clean Water Action, “It is beyond scary that chemicals that have been known or suspected to be hazardous for many years are still turning up in products that are designed for and marketed to children. And it’s outrageous that the government has done almost nothing to protect the health of everyday people from these hazards.”
